Whilst crime is falling, sentences are getting more severe. Since 2010, offenders are more likely to go to prison, and for longer.

We believe that court will always be the right place for serious and contested cases, as well as persistent offenders. There is a range of sentences available to independent judges to impose on offenders found guilty of a crime. We are clear that prison will always be the right place for serious offenders. In addition, financial penalties play a vital role within the sentencing framework, however they must have real bite and must be enforced.

The Government is already legislating to restrict the use of cautions and has recently outlined proposals to go further and replace cautions in England and Wales, with a system of suspended prosecutions. The aim is to ensure that there are more direct consequences in future for committing even minor crimes. This new approach will empower victims and give them a say in how criminals are dealt with, as well as making it easier for officers to deal with more minor offences.

Details of the numbers of cautions issued by the police and the number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts, with outcomes, for possession of class A, class B and class C drugs, in England and Wales, from 2009 to 2013 (latest available) can be viewed on the Ministry of Justice website at the available link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311455/cjs-outcomes-by-offence-2009-2013.xls

Under Offence drop down list select:

1) Possession of a controlled drug class A

2) Possession of a controlled drug class B

3) Possession of a controlled drug class C

Sentencing and fines imposed in individual cases are a matter for the independent courts, within the limits set by Parliament and following sentencing guidelines.

The number of persons found guilty, fined and given a custodial sentence for class A, class B and class C drug offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in England and Wales, from 2009 to 2013 (the latest data available) can be viewed in the table below.

Fines imposed in individual cases are entirely a matter for the independent courts within the limits set by Parliament and following any relevant sentencing guidelines. The law requires that the amount of any fine must reflect both the seriousness of the offence and the known financial circumstances of the offender.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service takes the issue of fine enforcement very seriously and is working to ensure that clamping down on fine defaulters is a continued priority nationwide. The courts have a range of powers to enforce payment of fines, including the use of bailiffs to seize goods, and deductions from earnings or benefits. Over recent years we have overseen improvements to the collection of financial penalties. There was a total of £290m collected against fines and related impositions in 2013/14 which was a record high and 2% more than the previous year.

We will continue to do all it can to prevent people from using drugs in the first place and intervene early with those who start to develop problems with a particular focus on enabling local commissioners to deliver local services. The Home Office are investing in a range of programmes which have a positive impact on young people and adults, giving them the confidence, resilience and risk management skills to resist drug use. This includes continuing to update our drug awareness service, FRANK, so that young people are aware of the harms of both controlled drugs and the risks associated with uncontrolled new psychoactive substances (or ‘legal highs’). In addition, by focusing their attention on those individuals who are at most risk of misusing drugs, the Home Office have provided targeted interventions to engage with them at the earliest opportunity. This includes investing in local services to respond to local need through the introduction of a £2 billion Early Intervention Grant for local authorities. The Home Office have also developed tools for commissioners that include an Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Information Service (ADEPIS) that is providing practical advice and tools based on the best international evidence.

The number of offenders convicted at the magistrates' courts for selected offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in England and Wales, from 2010 to 2013 (the latest data available) can be viewed in table 1 below.

The number of offenders sentenced at all courts to the maximum custodial sentence for selected drug offences, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in England and Wales, from 2010 to 2013 (the latest data available) can be viewed in table 2 below.

Data relating to the maximum fine at crown court cannot be determined as the maximum amount of fine for misuse of drug class A, class B and class C is of unlimited amount.

It is not possible to identify how much has been collected against fines imposed for specific offences without carrying out a manual search of all fine account records held by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. This information could therefore only be provided at disproportionate cost.